By 2021, UK will have over 40 NBA players playing in the league at one time.

[Son_Of_Saul]

By the time the 2021 NBA Draft night ends, I suspect UK will have over 40 players in the NBA. Let’s look at the players who first project to be a bit longer in the league…

Long term retention:

Point guards: Wall, Bledsoe, Fox, Ulis, Green, Rondo (probably at least three more years before retirement). = 6

Combo guards/wing guards: Booker, Murray, Monk, Diallo, Knight. = 5

Wing forwards/combo forwards: MKG, Knox, Vanderbilt, Lyles, Washington. = 5

4 men: Skal, Patterson, Jones (I'm optimistic about his injuries subsiding), Randle, Bam, Davis. = 6

5 men: Cousins, Kanter, Richards (optimistic projection), Bamba, Noel, Towns, WCS. = 7

= 29


Fringe: Goodwin, Liggins, Andrew Harrison, SKJ, Gabriel, Poythress, Young, Meeks (age is a factor; if he keeps his stroke, he’s fine) Briscoe, Alexander = 10

= let’s factor in 3 of these guys still playing in three years, plus the previous 29 guys = 32 total.

Add these 32 with at least 2.5 guys per class in the next three classes = 8 more. That’s 40 guys, at minimum, which is also a conservative estimate considering I only factored in three of the fringe guys and assuming Cal only recruits 2.5 retainable NBA guys per class over the next three classes (he’s had 8 OAD players in the last three classes but will have had at least 14 guys who played a minimum of one season in the NBA during that time).


Bottom line: UK is shattering its own NBA records for players in the league at one time. The UK brand is only going to expand. I suspect there will be a few classes in the near future where Cal locks up 4 or 5 of the top 10 guys. This is going to be beautiful to behold.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Calling Titles1, calling Titles1-- urgent! You are needed on this thread. Emergency call for Titles1!!

Back on point: Yes that is a plausible estimate, and it will be a great thing for Kentucky. I enjoy watching the NBA for the first time in years because of the young Cats. And it will supercharge Cal's already legendary recruiting.

Some of those guys-Davis, Wall, Cousins, etc.- will be perennial all stars as well.

 

[WildMoon]

28 + 3 = 31

 

[IndyCat1995]

I don't think people will really understand how big a deal this is until maybe 20 years from now.. after all these potential superstars retire from the league. We'll look back and be like wow.. half of these dudes played for us..

 

[ruppcat]

By the time the 2021 NBA Draft night ends, I suspect UK will have over 40 players in the NBA. Let’s look at the players who first project to be a bit longer in the league…

Long term retention:

Point guards: Wall, Bledsoe, Fox, Ulis, Green, Rondo (probably at least three more years before retirement). = 6

Combo guards/wing guards: Booker, Murray, Monk, Diallo, Knight. = 5

Wing forwards/combo forwards: MKG, Knox, Vanderbilt, Lyles, Washington. = 5

4 men: Skal, Patterson, Jones (I'm optimistic about his injuries subsiding), Randle, Bam, Davis. = 6

5 men: Cousins, Kanter, Richards (optimistic projection), Bamba, Noel, Towns, WCS. = 7

= 29


Fringe: Goodwin, Liggins, Andrew Harrison, SKJ, Gabriel, Poythress, Young, Meeks (age is a factor; if he keeps his stroke, he’s fine) Briscoe, Alexander = 10

= let’s factor in 3 of these guys still playing in three years, plus the previous 28 guys = 32 total.

Add these 32 with at least 2.5 guys per class in the next three classes = 8 more. That’s 40 guys, at minimum, which is also a conservative estimate considering I only factored in three of the fringe guys and assuming Cal only recruits 2.5 retainable NBA guys per class over the next three classes (he’s had 8 OAD players in the last three classes but will have had at least 14 guys who played a minimum of one season in the NBA during that time).


Bottom line: UK is shattering its own NBA records for players in the league at one time. The UK brand is only going to expand. I suspect there will be a few classes in the near future where Cal locks up 4 or 5 of the top 10 guys. This is going to be beautiful to behold.

If we had more than one title I'd be real happy about that.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

I don't think people will really understand how big a deal this is until maybe 20 years from now.. after all these potential superstars retire from the league. We'll look back and be like wow.. half of these dudes played for us..

There is truth in that. I can tell you the university affiliations of guys who were NBA superstars when I was a young boy 50 years ago -- Elgin Baylor, Seattle, Bill Russell, San Francisco, Oscar, Cincinnati, Wilt, Kansas...But never has one college dominated the league like UK may over the next decade or so. The kids of today, including some who will grow up to be college stars, will grow up considering Kentucky the engine that drives the NBA.

 

[FiveStarCat]

If we had more than one title I'd be real happy about that.

Oh hush. If we had two you'd complain we didn't have three. If we had three, you'd complain we didn't have four. And on and on and on....

 

[Jkwo]

If we had more than one title I'd be real happy about that.

No you wouldn't.

It's already one of the best 3-4 eight year stretches in NCAA history, so one more title would just cause you to complain that we don't have three.

 

[St.PatterSoN-54-]

If we had more than one title I'd be real happy about that.

I'm guessing not much makes you happy, except when the kids actually do get off your lawn, and possibly when TBS fires up the Matlock rerun marathon....

 

[Calsthebomb]

Any got a shot at the hall?

 

[BlueBomb]

You guys can rip the guy who says he'd be happy with one more title all you want.

But if we actually DO have 40 players in the NBA at one time, it seems a fair expectation to have had one more title with that level of talent. No since in hating on the people who have that as their opinion. It's fair.

I'm enjoying the hell out of this ride, but if Cal leaves here with just the one title, it will certainly be disappointing.

Does that opinion make me a hater with unfair expectations who can't ever be satisfied? Whatever...

 

[sluggercatfan]

By the time the 2021 NBA Draft night ends, I suspect UK will have over 40 players in the NBA. Let’s look at the players who first project to be a bit longer in the league…

Long term retention:

Point guards: Wall, Bledsoe, Fox, Ulis, Green, Rondo (probably at least three more years before retirement). = 6

Combo guards/wing guards: Booker, Murray, Monk, Diallo, Knight. = 5

Wing forwards/combo forwards: MKG, Knox, Vanderbilt, Lyles, Washington. = 5

4 men: Skal, Patterson, Jones (I'm optimistic about his injuries subsiding), Randle, Bam, Davis. = 6

5 men: Cousins, Kanter, Richards (optimistic projection), Bamba, Noel, Towns, WCS. = 7

= 29


Fringe: Goodwin, Liggins, Andrew Harrison, SKJ, Gabriel, Poythress, Young, Meeks (age is a factor; if he keeps his stroke, he’s fine) Briscoe, Alexander = 10

= let’s factor in 3 of these guys still playing in three years, plus the previous 28 guys = 32 total.

Add these 32 with at least 2.5 guys per class in the next three classes = 8 more. That’s 40 guys, at minimum, which is also a conservative estimate considering I only factored in three of the fringe guys and assuming Cal only recruits 2.5 retainable NBA guys per class over the next three classes (he’s had 8 OAD players in the last three classes but will have had at least 14 guys who played a minimum of one season in the NBA during that time).


Bottom line: UK is shattering its own NBA records for players in the league at one time. The UK brand is only going to expand. I suspect there will be a few classes in the near future where Cal locks up 4 or 5 of the top 10 guys. This is going to be beautiful to behold.

Only care if it means you are guaranteeing me 2-3 more NC...if not I quote Clark Gable in Gone With The Wind..."frankly my dear , I don't give a damn."

 

[UKUGA]

The Phoenix Suns are licking their chops.

 

[d2atTech]

28 + 3 = 31

rounding up is 40!

 

[lennyd250cat]

UK should have shirts made to celebrate that achievement. Oh wait.....

 

[Titles1]

We should have several more titles, already. We've had a few stretches with multiple titles in less than five years. I would say those stretches were far better. Some of you just don't put much emphasis on winning titles, which is befuddling to me.

 

[T-Bickle]

Hypothetical scenario:

UK has 40 NBA players in the OP scenario.

Cal wins one more title before retiring.

The next coach reaps the benefits of the OP scenario and continues to recruit at a high level residually off of Cal's success (although matching it would probably be impossible) and wins 2 titles/continues a 10+ year highly successful run.

In that scenario, is Cal's tenure at UK considered a success by those disappointed now that he only has one title? Would Cal be the greatest coach UK has ever had? Or is the measuring stick only titles by each coach?

Edit: And for those that are disappointed in Cal currently: is he less, more, or equally successful as Tubby since they have equal titles?

 

[ruppcat]

I'm guessing not much makes you happy, except when the kids actually do get off your lawn, and possibly when TBS fires up the Matlock rerun marathon....

Then let's hang banners for most players in the NBA.

 

[ruppcat]

Hypothetical scenario:

UK has 40 NBA players in the OP scenario.

Cal wins one more title before retiring.

The next coach reaps the benefits of the OP scenario and continues to recruit at a high level residually off of Cal's success (although matching it would probably be impossible) and wins 2 titles/continues a 10+ year highly successful run.

In that scenario, is Cal's tenure at UK considered a success by those disappointed now that he only has one title? Would Cal be the greatest coach UK has ever had? Or is the measuring stick only titles by each coach?

Edit: And for those that are disappointed in Cal currently: is he less, more, or equally successful as Tubby since they have equal titles?

Believe me, I'm thrilled we're in the hunt every year. It's far better than BCG and Tubby's tenure no doubt.

However, success at UK is measured in terms of national titles is it not?

Since Cal arrived:

Duke has 2 titles
UCONN has 2 titles under two different coaches
UNCheat has 2 titles though one was one before Cal arrived
UK (we've played for two), Louisville and Villanova have one each.

Dare say the majority of UK fans, if honest, would take the two titles any day of the week.

 

[ruppcat]

No you wouldn't.

It's already one of the best 3-4 eight year stretches in NCAA history, so one more title would just cause you to complain that we don't have three.

Duke and UCONN have two titles each during the same run.

Would you trade with them?

 

[Madcat62]

Hypothetical scenario:

UK has 40 NBA players in the OP scenario.

Cal wins one more title before retiring.

The next coach reaps the benefits of the OP scenario and continues to recruit at a high level residually off of Cal's success (although matching it would probably be impossible) and wins 2 titles/continues a 10+ year highly successful run.

In that scenario, is Cal's tenure at UK considered a success by those disappointed now that he only has one title? Would Cal be the greatest coach UK has ever had? Or is the measuring stick only titles by each coach?

Edit: And for those that are disappointed in Cal currently: is he less, more, or equally successful as Tubby since they have equal titles?

cal has a lot of work to do to surpass Rupp and he won't might get one more title will put 15 more players in the NBA if not more

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

28 + 3 = 31

Yep. I miswrote one number.

 

[Jkwo]

Duke and UCONN have two titles each during the same run.

Would you trade with them?

Sure (I'd have to think about it with UCONN, but probably), just for my own sake, though Cal's run is probably more impressive than either from a coaching standpoint.

But that's beside the point I was making. The people who talk title or bust were either miserable in the pre-cal years, or they hold him to a standard that they don't hold anybody else to.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

We should have several more titles, already. We've had a few stretches with multiple titles in less than five years. I would say those stretches were far better. Some of you just don't put much emphasis on winning titles, which is befuddling to me.

2 times is not a few. And it has happened once in the modern era.

UK has 4 titles in 60 years dude. The titles are not coming in bunches no matter the era, except for the crazy 96-98 stretch.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Believe me, I'm thrilled we're in the hunt every year. It's far better than BCG and Tubby's tenure no doubt.

However, success at UK is measured in terms of national titles is it not?

Since Cal arrived:

Duke has 2 titles
UCONN has 2 titles under two different coaches
UNCheat has 2 titles though one was one before Cal arrived
UK (we've played for two), Louisville and Villanova have one each.

Dare say the majority of UK fans, if honest, would take the two titles any day of the week.

UNC has 1 title since Cal arrived. You don't get to cheat and use the pre-Cal era.

 

[Titles1]

Hypothetical scenario:

UK has 40 NBA players in the OP scenario.

Cal wins one more title before retiring.

The next coach reaps the benefits of the OP scenario and continues to recruit at a high level residually off of Cal's success (although matching it would probably be impossible) and wins 2 titles/continues a 10+ year highly successful run.

In that scenario, is Cal's tenure at UK considered a success by those disappointed now that he only has one title? Would Cal be the greatest coach UK has ever had? Or is the measuring stick only titles by each coach?

Edit: And for those that are disappointed in Cal currently: is he less, more, or equally successful as Tubby since they have equal titles?

We should already have multiple titles in my opinion. We have got to maximize with this recruiting windfall. We won't always be getting the top class. This is why I get frustrated with not maximizing our opportunities.

 

[Titles1]

2 times is not a few. And it has happened once in the modern era.

UK has 4 titles in 60 years dude. The titles are not coming in bunches no matter the era, except for the crazy 96-98 stretch.

They very well could have over the last seven yrs. We had extremely good opportunities.

 

[ruppcat]

UNC has 1 title since Cal arrived. You don't get to cheat and use the pre-Cal era.

Did I not note that??

 

[ruppcat]

Sure (I'd have to think about it with UCONN, but probably), just for my own sake, though Cal's run is probably more impressive than either from a coaching standpoint.

But that's beside the point I was making. The people who talk title or bust were either miserable in the pre-cal years, or they hold him to a standard that they don't hold anybody else to.

Yes...I was miserable in the pre-Cal years. I think most honest UK fans were. Tubby was a huge disappointment.

 

[ruppcat]

They very well could have over the last seven yrs. We had extremely good opportunities.

Since 1999 UCONN has four titles.
Duke has three
UNC has three

If we want to go back starting with the Pitino era the numbers shift more against UK in terms of titles.

pUKe has five titles
uncheat has four
uconvict has four
UK has three

UK's run has been good, but those other schools have had better.

 

[Titles1]

Sure (I'd have to think about it with UCONN, but probably), just for my own sake, though Cal's run is probably more impressive than either from a coaching standpoint.

But that's beside the point I was making. The people who talk title or bust were either miserable in the pre-cal years, or they hold him to a standard that they don't hold anybody else to.

We weren't getting the number one recruiting class yr in yr out before Cal were we?

 

[UKWildcats#8]

They very well could have over the last seven yrs. We had extremely good opportunities.

Yeah, well stuff happens. If not for injuries Cal would have 2 more titles IMO.

 

[Jkwo]

Since 1999 UCONN has four titles.
Duke has three
UNC has three

If we want to go back starting with the Pitino era the numbers shift more against UK in terms of titles.

pUKe has five titles
uncheat has four
uconvict has four
UK has three

UK's run has been good, but those other schools have had better.

Well, hold out hope, friend.

First of all, the cheaters don't count - they're either gonna get the hammer or they will initiate the demise of the NCAA. Good for us either way.

Of the other two coaches, one is gone, and one is 70.

I do think that Calhoun and K are better coaches than Cal. I think if Cal had K's rosters since 1990, he'd have probably something like 3 titles instead of 5.

But when those guys are gone, and with Brad Stevens in the league now, I think Cal is probably the best or damn near (who knows about future stars at small schools - I mean of the known quantities).

That could translate to a very exciting near future for us, even you eeyores who've only had 4 good years of the past 50.

 

[Jkwo]

We weren't getting the number one recruiting class yr in yr out before Cal were we?

No, but the results aren't even in the same universe, either.

Are you so title or bust that you'd rather win 1 a decade going to 2 Final Fours than win 1 a decade going to 5 Final Fours? Because that's more or less the rate without Cal vs. with Cal.

 

[morgousky]

Having all of these NBA guys is awesome. I say it all the time, until Cal, Duke and UNC enjoyed the advantages the "place of the pros" allowed them. That's the area we severely lacked. And it matters. You bet your ass it matters.

Having said that yes, Cal needs multiple titles or he'd go down as one of the more underachieving coaches in history, especially for a blue blood with that many studs. You can't argue your way out of that. Kentucky fans don't dictate the historical record. The writers will cause his legacy damage. Take a look at the Braves of the 90's. That's the label he'd be given here.

My opinion is Cal is going to finish with 2 or 3 championships. That's pretty much renders the fonversation moot. Although I do think stubbornness might cost Cal the modern day GOAT, there will be no denying he's "a" GOAT if he can put another title or two together.

We'll see.

 

[ruppcat]

Yeah, well stuff happens. If not for injuries Cal would have 2 more titles IMO.

Hold on....we've got 30 players in the NBA. If we can't overcome an injury in the season then we've got problems.

 

[Jkwo]

Hold on....we've got 30 players in the NBA. If we can't overcome an injury in the season then we've got problems.

I'd say that the '15 team overcame plenty by losing a starter and still posting the best record and second best win margin of any UK team in history. It is hard to emphasize to a non-stats person how poor a tool is a 64 team single elimination tournament in determining best team.

Even if you have a 90% chance of winning every game individually (including the Final Four and championship games), that only puts you at 50/50 to win the whole championship.

And also, it's fair to hold Cal accountable for talent, but it's also worth phrasing accurately, lest the argument begins to resemble that Louisville fan trap of comparing what coaches have to work with merely on sheer number of draft picks/five star recruits over the years.

Zipp runs around the Louisville board using that same argument to claim that Cal has had literally twice as much talent as K on that basis.

In fact, they've had the same average number of five stars per roster in Cal's time here, though K's have been older on average, obviously.

He simply is too stupid to understand that Cal getting 6 different OADs over 2 years versus K or self getting 3 blue chips and having them stay til soph does not = Cal having twice as much talent. Per roster, that's still 3 each year. The input and the output of the system are equally important.

 

[ruppcat]

Well, hold out hope, friend.

First of all, the cheaters don't count - they're either gonna get the hammer or they will initiate the demise of the NCAA. Good for us either way.

Of the other two coaches, one is gone, and one is 70.

I do think that Calhoun and K are better coaches than Cal. I think if Cal had K's rosters since 1990, he'd have probably something like 3 titles instead of 5.

But when those guys are gone, and with Brad Stevens in the league now, I think Cal is probably the best or damn near (who knows about future stars at small schools - I mean of the known quantities).

That could translate to a very exciting near future for us, even you eeyores who've only had 4 good years of the past 50.

btw... I go back to '78.